Wendy, Sharon and Ken
Very sorry for your loss. She will be missed by many and always loved by all.
Lauri Pelletier
MAUREEN JULIA PARKER
12 January 1959 – 19 March 2023
Maureen’s life came full circle when she passed away peacefully at the age of 64 on Sunday, 19 March 2023 in the building where she was born, the old Ottawa General Hospital, now Bruyere Palliative Care. She will be dearly missed by her wife Wendy Dennys; sister Sharon Sorrenti and brother Ken Sorrenti (Marlene); sons Mark Skanks (Amaya Tarasoff), the late Peter Skanks (Martha King), and Adam Skanks; nieces Melanie, Loni and Tara; grandchildren Sophie, Rachel, Sarah and Jacob; her close friends Jan Christensen, Sandra McFadyen and Sue Carson. She will be fondly remembered by her colleagues at Family Services Ottawa.
Born to the late Margaret and Arthur Parker, Maureen’s adopted parents are the late Theresa and Joseph Sorrenti.
Maureen was kind and gentle, living her life with love and compassion for everyone she encountered. In her long counselling career, she made a difference in many lives. Fueled by a gentle sense of humour, her infectious laugh echoed throughout the halls, prompting people to say “Oh, there goes Maureen!” In fact, while working with the Indigenous grandmothers of Minwaashin Lodge, she was given the spirit name of Laughing Heart Woman, She who heals the hearts of the People.
Maureen’s interests were wide ranging: she enjoyed African drumming, photography, singing, poetry and painting, to name a few.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Bruyere Palliative Care Unit for their loving, dedicated and skilled care of Maureen in her final days.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 4 pm, Saturday, 22 April 2023 at the Overbrook Community Centre, 33 Quill Street, at the corner of Queen Mary Street.